The Olympic Winter Games are in full swing, and the Queensborough Community Centre wants to see your Canadian spirit.
Set to coincide with the kick off of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the centre is hosting a number of events to celebrate the two-week international sporting event, and everyone is invited.
Trevor Lakey, recreation leader attendant at the centre, said he was surprised to read an article that said this year’s Olympics weren’t getting as much attention as they had in 2010.
“Granted the last one we had was in our own home city, so obviously we’re comparing it to that, but we just thought (our events) might be a chance for people to get together for the winter Olympics,” he said.
On Feb. 7, 14 and 21 the Queensborough centre is hosting Spirit Day. People are invited to show their Olympic pride by wearing team colours and jerseys while watching coverage of the events in Sochi at the centre.
"Staff are dressing up in Olympic spirit gear," he said. "We'll have pins, tattoos, flags available for people."
On Feb. 14, centre staff is putting a romantic twist on the Spirit Day with a Valentine’s Day French toast breakfast. For $3 attendees get French toast, strawberries and coffee or tea.
The breakfast runs from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., and the puck drops at 9 a.m.
The Canada versus Austria men’s hockey game is one of the only Olympic events the centre will air live because of the time difference between Vancouver and Sochi.
“It’s kind of hard for the viewing because everything is aired so early and so late,” he said. “Everything that’s going to be featured is going to be reruns.”
Despite this, people are still invited to watch Olympic coverage from Sochi, which will be playing non-stop on the TVs at the Queensborough Community Centre until the closing ceremony.
“We’ll obviously just have it running on the TVs throughout the days,” Lakey added.
Centre staff is also keeping track of the medal count and will update its running tally in the lobby daily. There is also a large map of B.C., posted next to the medal count, which lists all the athletes from the province competing in Sochi.
“(We’re) highlighting where some of the local athletes are from and what they’re doing,” he said, “with little bios on what they’re doing and who they are.”
The Queensborough Community Centre is located at 920 Ewen Ave. and open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
